Vehicle



J.- T HUP .lunel 21, 1927;

VEHICLE J. T. sHoUP June 21' 1927.

VEHIQLE Filed Dec. 11. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2l 1927. l 632 804 J. T. SHouP VEHICLE Filed Deo. 11, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7? -a/feseg.' cwmfmf K Lines T 550100 L/@ffma Jung: 2 1192@ J' T. SHGQP K 1,632,804

' VEHICLE is Filed Dec. 1l. 1825 l 415k, ,1 w Q 46 i v f (dl/1165565:

Patented .lune 21, 192.7.

4UNISTEI?) STATES? PATaNro'FFrcE. f

JAMES 'n saone; onCHICAeo, ILLINOIS, kAssrenolnaro Marrana.. sIroUr, or CHICAGO,

\ ILLINOIS.;

VEHICLE;v

Application inea December 11,1925. seriarNo. 74,782.

My invention relates to vehicles and particularly to running gear ior vehicles.

lie invention has among its other objects the production of' running gear of the character described, which is convenient, durable, efficient and satisfactory for use Wherever found applicable.

A particular object ot the invention is to provide improved running gear for selli- PTUPelled vehicles.

Another particular object of the invention 1s to provide running gear comprising pneumatic tires, or the equivalent, which are sub- 1 jected to a minimum of Wear.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide improved ruiming geair comprising resilient. Wheels which are not subject to punctures.

One form of the invention is embodied in an automobile chassis comprising a` tra-me upon Which the engine and body may be mounted and provided with front and rear' Wheels havingl solid resilient tires or their equivalent, the Wheels being carried by auxiliary frames pivoted to the main frame and serving as tracks for pneumatically tired Wheels which are mounted upon auxiliary axles carried by the usual springs provid-ed. atv the front and rear ends of the main frame. The Weight of the body andthev engine is carried by the pneumatically tired Wheels Which absorb shocks and vibration and transmitl the load to the Wheelsfhaving solid tires, the pneumatically tired Wheels being driven by the Wh-eels'having solid tires.

The above mentioned and other forms of the invention are fully described in the following detail description: Y

Many other objects and advantages of' the construction herein shown and described Wil-'l be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the f novel construction, arrangement and combi- 4nation of parts liereinjshovvn andv described,

and. more particularly pointed out in the' claims.

Inv the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatel likeor corresponding p`arts:1 y Y Fig. 1 is a; plan viei'ivA ofl automobile chassis embodying the-invention; ,f ','Fgj 2-`is asection taken online-22 (if Fig. 1';

' 3 is a1 section taken online 3--3 of 7 o 'Y 1 I Y *1 l is a section taken on "line le-t ot 5`fisa section taken on line 5 5- of la section taken on line 6-6 of a section taken on line 8-1-8 of y 9 is a fragmentary section correspond-r ingto Fig? and illustrating another form ot the invention;

Fig. 1O=l is ay fragmentary section correspondingto Fig. 3 and illustrating another form of the invention; and

Fig. 11 is asection corresponding to Fig. f t and illustrating still another orm of the invention.

Referring for` the present to Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, wherein lA have shown a preferred form of' the` invention embodied in an automobile chassis, the reference character 15 designates generally aframe resemblingthe 'trames commonly provided in automobile chassis to carry the bodies and engines, the

trame preferably comprising side members shaft 27 and other suitable mechanism (not shown) to an internal combustion engine (not shown) mountednpon the frame 15.`

The auxiliary frame may comprise longitudinally arranged members 29 or the equivalent Which have their forward ends pivoted upon a shaft 30 arranged transversely ot' the frame-15 and mounted in `brackets 31? depending from the side members 16, the rear axle-22-`being rigidly secu-red in orv to tlfie rearendsv ofthe `mernbe'rs 29. Rotatab'ly jo'urnaled'in the' rear axle 22 and operatively cennecte'd'tothedifferential ,26 are the usual shafts 33 uponwhich the rear drivingvwheels' are mounted, the-rear Ydriving wheels being' identified in this instance by the reference character 35. It will be noted that the wheels 35 are provided with solid resilient tires 36, but I am, not limited to this construction, for, in some instances, I ma'y dis` pense with resilient tires and may permit the metallic or wooden rims of the wheels 35 to engage the ground.

. with a hub 39 which is slotted as at 40 to accommodate the rear axle 22. vRotatably journaled upon the hubs 39 are wheels 43 having pneumatic tires 44 adapted to ride upon annular tracks 45 carried by the wheels 35. The annular tracks 45 are of relatively small diameters when compared with the outside diameters of the wheels 35. This vpermits relatively small-pneumatictires 44 to be employed and thus lessens the cost of the improved running gear.`

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the rear axle 22 is not slidably journaled in the slots 40 of the hubs 39, the movements of the rear axle being in an arc which has the longitudinal axis of the shaft' 30 as its center. However, in some embodiments of the invention I may prefer to provide arcuate slots 40 in which the rear axle 22 may be slidably journaled, and, in other embodiments of the invention, I may prefer to journal the axle 22 in bearing blocks which are in turn slidably journaled in the slots 40.

As best shown in Fig. 8, steering knuckles 47 are pivoted to the ends of the front axle 21 by knuckle pins 48, the axle 21 being preferably bifurcated as at 49 to accommodate the steering knuckles. Each steering knuckle 47 preferably comprises a spindle 50 or the equivalent upon which a wheel 52 is rotatably journaled, the Wheels 52 being preferably of the same 4diameter as :the wheels 35 and being similarly constructed. As hereinbefore set fort-h, the axle 21 is mounted in an auxiliary frame 24 which preferably comprises brackets `54 having hubs 55 in which the axle 21 is rigidly secured. Pivoted to each bracket 54 by pins 57 are links 58 which operatively connect the bracket with a slide 59 journaled in a bracket 60 rigidly secured to the frame 15, pins 62 being provided for pivotally connecting the links 58 to the slide 59. -It will be noted that each bracket 54 and the linksV 58 and the slide 59 associated with it constitute a parallel link motion, the axle 21 being movable toward and away from the frame 15. I preferably provide vset-I `screws 64 or the equivalent in the bracketsl60 to serve as stops for the slides 59. The purposecf this construction will presently ap-` pear.

Carried by the front springs 19 is an auxiliary front axle 65 to the ends of which brackets 66 are rigidly secured, each bracket 66 preferably `comprising bifurcations 68 and 69. As illustrated, the bifurcations 68 rotatably journal the steering knuckles 47 andthe bifurcations 69 rotatably journal the bifurcations 68 and 69 of the bracket, theV bifurcations 71 and 72 being rotatablyy jour-V naled upon the steering knuckle `47 and the knuckle pin48, respectively.4 `Slots 75 provided in the hubs 70 accommodate the spindles 50 of the steering knuckles 47.

Rotatably journaled upon the hubs 70 are wheels 77having pneumatic tires 78 adapted to ride upon annular tracks `79 carried by the wheels 52. It will be noted that the pneumatic tires 78 correspond in size to the aforementioned pneumatic tires 44 and that the wheels 52 are substantially of the same diameter as the aforementioned wheels 35. The combined weight of the frame 15 and 4the body (not shown) and the engine (not shown) is carried by the wheels 43 and 77. The pneumatic tires 44 and 78 carried by these wheels function to absorb shocksyand vibration when the vehicle is in motion and it is readily understood that while the pneu-` matic tires 44 and 78 function to absorb shocks and vibrationV they are subjected to a minimum amount `of wear as they do not come in contact with the road but roll upon the tracks 454 and 79. A featureof this embodimentof the invention is that the wheels 43 are driven by the wheels 35 so that the tractive effortof the vehicle is not transmitted through the pneumatic tires 44.

While the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, is provided with slides 59, it will be readily understood that in some instances the slides 59 may be rigidly secured to the brackets 6() and that the increase or decrease in the horizontal distance between the pins 57 and 62, which Atakes place when the links 58 are be ing angularly displaced around the axes of the pins 62, maybe compensated for by the springs 19. If desired,the pins 62 may project from the brackets 60, or the set screws 64 may be adjusted to prevent relative motion between the slides 59 and the brackets v60. It is advantageous to employ the links 21 and the auxiliary axle 65 to a planepassing `through the longitudinal axes of the axles.

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In Fig. 9I have illustrated another form of' the' invention embodied in` a wheel 35 having' a solidresilient tire Sdfandtadapted tobe mounted upon one of" the aforemen-v tioned shaftsy 33 which are rotatably journaled inv the rear axle 22. Carried by the wlieel` 35a is an annular flange 45a to which a pneumatic tire 45" is detacliably secured, the tire'45b serving asa" track for a pneumatic tire 44" de'tachably .secured toa wheel 43 rotatably journaled' upon one or the hubs 39j It desired, the wheels 35El and 43l may be used in place of the wheels: 35: and 43. Obviously, that form of the invention which is illustrated in Fig. 9`may als'obe embodied in' wheels adapted'to replace the wheels 52 and'77. l,

Fig, l()y shows another form of the invention embodied in wheel 35C adapted to be mounted on' onelo'f ythe aforementioned shafts 33. Tliewheel 35Cl is preferably formed with an annular' metallic rim 35d upon which a slid= resilient tire 35j may bev deitacliabl'y s ecured. Th'erim 35d' serves as a' track 'for a wheel'43c' rotatably journal'edon the asso'- ci'atedhub 39," the wheel 43 being provided with' apne'ujmatic tire 44?. y y

l have illustrated' still' another form of the invention-in Fig. 1,1, thel invention being embodied inr a wheel' 35g comprising a metallic rim 35h upon which a solid resilient tire 36g is detachably secured. The rim 35h .serves as a track for a plurality of wheels 80 rotatably journaled uponpins 8l mounted in brackets 82 which are secured to the free ends of arcuate spring members 84, the other ends of the spring members 84 being rigidly secured to a hub 85 which may be rotatably journaled upon one'of the aforementioned hubs 39. The wheel 35S is adapted to be mounted upon one of the shafts 33. It will be readily understood that the wheel 35g and the apparatus comprising the wheels 80, the arcuate spring members 84 and the hub 85 may be used in place of the wheels 35 and 43, if it is so desired.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifica tions may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A self-propelled vehicle comprising a frame, an auxiliary frame movably mounted on said first-mentioned frame, ground-engaging wheels movable with said auxiliary frame, means for driving said wheels, and wheels mounted on said first-mentioned frame and supported by said ground-engag ing wheels. 2, A self-propelled vehicle comprising a frame, anauxiliary fraineinovably mounted on' said1 lirstnientine'df' frame, ground-em gaging wheels movabley with said auxiliary frame, meansi'or' driving said-wheels, an axle', wheels carried' by said axle and running on said first-mentioned wheels, and re` silient .means interposed between" sa-id axle and the lirst#mentionedv rarne.v

A self-propelled vehicle comprising a frame, an auxiliary iframe pivoted-on said first-mentioned frame, vground-enfg,aging wheels movable with sai'd Vauxiliary frame,

means for driving said wheels, and wheels mounted' on said'first-mentioned frame and supported by: said ground-engaging wheels.

4. A self-propelled vehicle comprising a frame, anl auxiliary frame pivotedon said lirstnnentioned frame, ground-engaging wheels movable with said auxiliary traine,

means for driving saidk wheels, an! axle,

wheels carriedfby saidaxle and'running'on xsaid lirs't-mentionedwheels, and resilient meansinte'r1`3osedA between saidaxle and the lirstmenztioned frame'.

5. In a' vehicle, an axle,steering knuckles pivoted to the' end of said axle, groundiengaging wheels rotatably journaled` upon saidsteeri'ng knuckles", a second axle having its ends pivotally connected with' the steering knuckles', a' hub at each end of the second axle pivoted to said steering knuckles, and wheels rotatably journaled upon said hub and supported by said lirst-mentioned wheels.

6. A Vehicle comprising` a Jframe, an axle, mechanism holding said axleand pivotally secured to said frame, steering knuckles pivoted to the ends of said axle, groundenrll) gaging wheels rotatably journaled upon` said steering knuckles, a second axle having its ends pivotally connected to the steering knuckles, a hub at each end of the second axle pivoted to said steering knuckles, and wheels rotatably journaled upon said hub and supported by said ground-engaging wheels.

l 7. A vehicle comprising a frame, an axle, mechanism holding said axle and inovably mounted relative to said frame, steering knuckles mounted upon the ends of said axle, ground-engaging Wheels rotatably journaled upon said steering knuckles, a second axle having its ends pivotally con nected to the steering knuckles, resilient means interposed between said second axle and said frame, a hub atreach end of the second axle pivoted to said steering knuckles, and wheels rotatably journaled upon said hub and supported by said ground-engaging wheels.

8. A vehicle comprising a frame, a front axle, means :t'or movably securing said front axle to the frame, a pair of steering knuckles mounted upon the ends of said front axle, a pair @Wheels-rotatably journaled. upon i lo said steering knuckles, a rear axle, means for movably securing said rear axle to the frame, shafting rotatably journaled in said rear axle, a second pair of Wheels secured to said Shafting, an auxiliary front axle secured to the frame and having its ends pivotally connected to the steering knuckles,V Y a hub at eachend of the auxiliary front axle and pivotally `connected to said steering knuckles, a third pair of Wheels rotatably journaled upon said hub and supported by said first-mentioned Wheels, an auxiliary rear i axle secured to the frame, and a fourth pair l upon said steering knuckles, a rear axle,

means for movably securing said rear axle to the frame, shaftmg rotatably Journaled in said rear axle, a second pair of Wheels secured to said shafting, an auxiliary front axle secured to the frame, and having its ends pivotally connected to the steering f knuckles, a hub at each end of the auxiliary front axle pivot-ally connected to saidsteeri pair of Wheels rotatably journaled upon said auxiliary rear axle and supported by said second pair of' Wheels, and means for driving said shaftlng.

10. A vehicle` comprising a frame, an'A auxiliary frame movably mounted on said first-mentioned frame, ground-engaging Wheels movable With said rauxiliary frame, pneumatic tires on vsaid ground-engagin" Wheels .spaced from the periphery thereo and Wheels mounted on said first-mentioned frame adapted to ride upon said pneumatic tires.

l1. A vehicle comprising a frame, an auxiliary frame movably mounted on said rstmentioned frame, ground-engaging Wheels movable withV said auxiliary frame, pneumatic tires mounted on said ground-engaging Wheels and spaced from the peripheries thereof, Wheels mounted on said rst-mentioned frame, and pneumatic tires mounted on said last-mentioned Wheels and adapted to ride upon said rst-rentioned tires.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. i

JAMES T. SHOUP. 

